Round eighteen marked the end of the home and away season for all, but the start of the "real" season for some.
Thirteen clubs became six and all of a sudden things will start to get real.
Of most interest was how those clubs that were assured finals would approach games that in most part had nothing on the end of it?
MDU v Foster
Pre game there was every chance that these two clubs would meet both on the weekend just gone, and also on the weekend ahead in what would be the Elimination semi final A clash.
The inevitable question was, do coaches nurture their players through the afternoon, do they trial any plays or the tagging of players, how much do they learn about their opposition and particular players and still get what they need to bring their very best in another seven days' time.
The result was that Foster got the points and hopefully a psychological advantage with an eight point win 11-11-77 to 10-9-69.
Sam Davies, Foster coach "Really happy with the group's efforts to finish equal top after the home and away season - we really only had one off day throughout the season which hurt us in the end. We now saddle up and play Meeniyan again next week - we’ll watch a lot of footage after today’s game. I thought they were on top for a lot of the day but we found a way and played a great twenty minutes to create a big enough lead and held on."
The evenness of the competition means that the Tigers finish third, just percentage behind both second placed Yinnar and top of the table Fish Creek, but it also means they play in an elimination final rather than an opportunity for a direct route to the 2025 MGFNL Grand Final, even the smallest things matter.
Nathan Allen, MDU coach "the weekend was a great preview of what the finals will be like. Really tight game all day with plenty of momentum swings. Foster were able to convert when going forward better than us at the end of the day and get the win. We are all really looking forward to finals footy next week. We come up again Foster again, it will be a tight battle across the ground and whoever can take their opportunities up forward will move on."
Two very good teams to clash at Toora in an elimination finals gives the South Gippsland sporting community an opportunity to support in their numbers and in doing so also continue to play their part in one of the states most even and most vibrant footballing competitions.
There is some work to do in the MGFNL, but showcasing our game in front of a big crowd and with hundreds of potential junior footballers is as an important a step forward as it is winning for both Foster and MDU.
Mirboo North v Fish Creek
Hosting the reigning premiers on your home deck might not have been the Tigers first choice to finish off a long and demanding season, but there is no doubt that Mirboo North were encouraged to play with some freedom and enjoy their last round of football for 2024.
The Kangaroos, on the other hand, used the afternoon to put some finishing touches on their preparations prior to their finals campaign, a campaign that appears as though it is set to reach some lofty heights after their 25-22-172 to 3-3-21 victory.
Jarrad Walker, Fish Creek coach "A very pleasing game from our end. Set out to tidy a few things up defensively and get some chemistry between our midfield and forwards as well as our backs to tighten up and defend first. We were able to tick those aspects of our game off for four quarters which was a positive. A well earned week off next week, but looking forward to getting to Toora to support our reserves and netball teams. Then come in raring to go for our first final”
The Tigers were at the mercy of the Kangaroos from the very first bounce, not scoring for the first thirty minutes and down eighty one to one at the main break, and things only got worse for the home side from there.
Damian Turner, Mirboo North coach "Tough and disappointing way to close out the season. Fish Creek came to play, beat us on all fronts and looked very sharp heading into finals. We finish the year now, but to have such an exciting young core group which is really exciting. Bigger and better for 2025.
There is still some work, in fact plenty of work to be done for Mirboo, but it appears they are willing to roll up their sleeves, and that's the first step in a longer journey.
Their weekend opponents are at the top of the mountain for the second year in a row and now the minor premiers will attempt to reinforce their reputation as the most successful club in regional Victoria by going back to back.
Newborough v Toora
Two teams that were bringing some pretty impressive form to the table met at the Kennels, in what loomed, in some ways at least, as a perfect preparation for Newborough prior to their first final in a weeks time.
The Magpies are honest and aggressive and would ensure that the Bulldogs knew they were in a game of football, an environment that the home side excelled in.
Newborough 17-10-112 to Toora 9-6-60.
Craig Skinner, Newborough coach "We had five changes and a Toora side that wanted a scalp had me nervous but the boys stood tall and got the game on our terms after quarter time. No injuries were a hi-light and we will now reset for another battle with Morwell East Sunday.
After successive grand final defeats, the courage that the Bulldogs have shown to fight their way into a position for a third attempt, has them sentimental favourites heading into the finals.
Toora did what they could, an early lead slowly whittled away by a side that has what it takes to go all the way.
Jack Weston, Toora coach "It was another game where the score line blew out late. Yet again we were really competitive against a side heading where we want to be. Envious of all sides playing over the next few weeks."
The Magpies are close to where they want to be, but only some savvy off season recruiting will close the gap and have them being a part of the action that can create memories for players that last a lifetime, something the Bulldogs are striving for with the hope of being third time lucky.
Stony Creek v Yinnar
As fate would have it all but one match (MDU V Foster) would have a finals contender up against a side from outside the six, and each of the clubs with no pressure and no expectation was capable of stealing a victory to finish off their season.
Yinnar were acutely aware of what the Lions were capable of and were prepared for a spirited opposition, the Magpies however were caught short in a surprise ten point loss to the home side 7-10-52 to 5-12-42.
Chris Verboon, Stony Creek coach "It was an awesome effort by our boys to get over the line against a quality opponent. We have threatened teams all year but haven’t been able to play 4 quarters. We knew we had to be at our best to win and 21 blokes played a good hard game of footy. Good luck to Yinnar in the finals."
The Magpies remain second on the MGFNL ladder only percentage separating them from both Fish Creek above and Foster below, but their focus will no doubt be on what that can control within their starting line up over the next fortnight.
Sam McCulloch, Yinnar coach "Disappointing way to finish the Home & Away season. But full credit to Stony Creek, they came to play and we really let ourselves down in a number of areas. We identified these post game and will make sure we sharpen up over the next few weeks and prepare ourselves to be ready for Fish Creek.”
With next week off, Yinnar will now face Fish Creek, as the league's top two sides in a qualifying final that gives direct entry to this years Big Dance, an opportunity that will require some significant improvement from the weekend.
Tarwin v Hill End
The Sharks were coming up off a "touch up" at the hands of Toora in round seventeen and were expecting a visiting Rovers side keen to grab the ascendency early in the hope of claiming just their second victory of the year.
However, with the Hillsmen short of their best personnel available and Tarwin keen to rebound, it was all the home side in a comfortable 14-18-102 to 3-8-26 win.
Jason Kennedy, Tarwin coach "We hosted our final game for the season against Hill End and the boys from both the reserves and seniors didn’t disappoint. The reserves led the cause with a twenty nine point win followed by the seniors' consistent four quarter game. Our ladies enjoyed the sunshine celebrating their ladies day, whilst raising funds for local charity The Orange Door. It was a positive day for all and a great way to finish off a well fought season”
The Sharks may have been a few wins short of finals contention, but provided great competition for every opponent, every week, as did, for the most part the Rovers who through lack of personnel found themselves limping towards the end of the season.
Ambu Uliando, Hill End coach "I'm proud of the boys' effort for the last game of the year. We were very short in the seniors and reserves and had seven players double up and play both games and multiple players pushing through injury. Tarwin just ran us ragged."
The Rovers only a few years ago, were minor premiers and white hot favourites for the MGFNL premiership before covid cruelly took their opportunity.
From where they sit now, it may seem a million miles away, but with patience and hard work maybe another chance awaits in the years ahead.
Thorpdale v Morwell East
Thorpdale's resolve had been tested in the past fortnight, with the serious injury to coach Jason Winderlich, still very much front and centre of their thoughts, on the basis alone the Blues should be commended for manfully both as a team and as a club fronting up and doing their very best, a trait that has almost been their mantra for the last few years.
The Hawks no doubt have empathy for the Blues predicament but also had a job to do, which makes the result all the more disappointing.
Thorpdale too strong, winning by better than seven goals, 15-9-99 to 8-6-54.
Ray Pickering, Thorpdale co-coach "an excellent way to end a tumultuous season that promised so much in the pre season and a very emotional last two weeks for obvious reasons …. Plenty of excellent passages of football yesterday against a finals bound side which gives the club some momentum and a positive outlook on season 2025."
Thorpdale were almost as close as you can get to finals contention without claiming the opportunity, finishing just half a game from the top six.
On the other hand, just a month ago, Morwell East sat atop of the MGFNL ladder, but now, after three losses in succession, they limp into the first week of finals.
That said we need to be understanding that a handful of players will return in their first finals clash against Newborough after being rested on the weekend, a fact that will give some solace to those closest to the Hawks..
Paul Henry, Morwell East coach, "I feel the boys were in preservation mode ahead of our finals campaign. We take on Newborough again after only playing them a couple of weeks ago. Finals footy, what else would you rather be doing."
What now awaits is something pretty special, a chance to claim a premiership in what is a very even competition, every one of the six clubs remaining has an opportunity, but from now on there are no more second chances for the Hawks.
Bye:Boolarra
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